Who are we

The Center for Plant Restoration currently employs:

Patrick Biber, PhD, BSc (Hons)

Patrick has been working on coastal systems for about 15 years. Since beginning his research at the Gulf Coast Research Lab in 2004, he has been responsible for grants to develop a nursery for coastal plant propagation. He directs daily operations and looks after the financial and human resource activities of the Center. You can find out more about his other research at http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/cv/biber.patrick/cv.biber.patrick.php

John (JD) Caldwell

JD has been working at the Gulf Coast Research Lab since after Hurricane Camille. He has been a technician and researcher in botany for his entire career. Among other things he managed the HGCRL herbarium, now located at USM's Hattiesburg campus, and taught in the Summer Field Program. JD is an expert at identifying local flora.

Dr. Heather M. Joesting

Heather is a post-doctoral research associate in the Center.  Her research investigates the potential role of native Gulf Coast salt marsh species in waste effluent management from marine recirculating aquaculture production of finfish and shrimp.

Dr. Philip Kauth

Philip is a post-doctoral research associate in the Center. He is investigating seed germination ecology and micropropagation of several submerged aquatic plant species including Vallisneria and Ruppia spp.

Linh Thuy Pham

Linh's research focuses on mapping seagrasses in Mississippi Sound and on the Chandeleur Islands, analyzing long-term change of these resources, and interpreting their major challenges. Her method is a combination of field surveys and remote sensing - GIS, with extensive use of ArcGIS and R.

Viviana Mazzei

Vivi is a master’s student investigating the primary productivity potential of artificial reefs in the Mississippi Sound. Her interests are in marine botany and ecology with an emphasis in phycology.

Lynnae Manuel

Lynnae is a Research Assistant/Technician working with Dr. Heather Joesting.

Tamela Jones

Tamela is a Technician working with Dr. Heather Joesting.

Matt Marenberg 

Matt is a graphic designer working on the plant propagation protocol layouts and photos

Tom Albaret (volunteer)

Previous students, technicians, and interns:

Scott R. Caldwell (2008-2012)

Jacob Hilton (2009)

Brittany Foster (2008)

Lindsey Singleton (2007)

Adam Boyette (2007)

Shelley Tuck (2006)

Gary McCardle (2006)

Art Karels (2005)

Brian Joachim (2005-2007)